The international DX-group Brave Radio Friends has instituted the VK-Islands-Award. The award is open to all amateur radio operators (OP) and on a heard basis to shortwave listeners (SWL) under the same rules:

Only Australian islands listed in the IOTA directory from all VK-call-areas (including VK9 and VK0) are eligible for this award. Each island only counts once, but there can be more islands from one IOTA group in the application.

For the basic award, operators must make contact with (SWLs must hear) ten Australian islands. There are upgrades in steps of five more islands (15, 20, 25…)

All contacts must have been made/heard from the same DXCC-entity.

Any band, or combination of bands as well as any mode, or combination of modes, may be used.

Contacts made through repeaters and other relays are not allowed.

There are no time restrictions. Contacts can have been made/heard prior to the start of this award.

The QSL cards with the island name on it must be in the possession of the applicant, but they do not have to be sent in. A list with the contacts made/heard plus the applicant’s word of honor that he/she has the QSL cards are sufficient. In case of doubt, the award manager may ask for a copy of the QSL card to be sent by e-mail.

Applications must contain the following details: IOTA number, name of island, station worked/heard, band, mode, date, time.

The award can only be applied for electronically by e-mail to de3ear@u23.de Please only use one of the following formats: pdf, jpg, xls, doc, txt.

The award will only be sent electronically and there is no award fee.

An activators award is available, too: Basic award for five activated islands; upgrades in steps of five more islands (10, 15, 20...).